1. Identify as an LGBTQIA person or be the child of an LGBTQIA person or an ally 2. Be a graduating high school senior or completing your first year in higher education and planning to enter the second year. Preference will be given to candidates graduating high school and to those who have not previously been awarded an OPALGA scholarship 3. Reside in one of the following suburbs: Berwyn Broadview Brookfield Cicero Elmwood Park Forest Park Maywood Melrose Park North Riverside Oak Park River Forest Riverside OR the Chicago zip codes 60707, 60623, 60624, 60639, 60644, or 60651 (Austin, Galewood, North Lawndale, West Garfield Park, and parts of Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, and Montclare). 4. Have applied or been accepted to a 4-year or 2-year degree program or trade school/certificate program